In an interview with Terry Freedman, Johnny Ball talked about the positive impact technology is having on school performance. He believes that about 20% of schools are using new technology to its full potential and wants other schools to get to grips with the benefits it offers children for hands-on learning. According to Johnny “there are three ways to teach…tell people, show people or let them do it themselves, and with computers they’re doing it themselves earlier and much quicker!”
Johnny is a big fan of computers at school and, in particular interactive whiteboards, which he refers to as “world libraries…that let learners find out about absolutely anything in the world.” He also points out that technology is allowing education to become more vocational – even for early learners. “Virtually every job we do today requires some kind of modern technology and for the first time today, education is becoming vocational training…so when kids enter the workplace they’re already used to using technology.”
The Government has put massive investment into new school technology during recent years. The challenge now according to Johnny is to start using technology to its full potential.
Johnny a former teacher and television presenter agrees that IT will never replace good teachers but argues “IT makes a good teacher much better and a very good teacher absolutely brilliant!”
Listen to the full interview here (MP3 file).